4 Things You Should Never Buy at a Big-Box Store

You'll probably find this list surprising.

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Jan 27, 2015

1. Paper goods

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Depending on how much you purchase, you can do well at a warehouse, but there are times when you can do better at a supermarket. When paper products go on sale, which they do periodically — and you also use manufacturer's coupons — you may wind up with cheaper per-unit prices than at club stores.

2. Produce

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Unless you'll need a few pounds of blueberries because you're making muffins for a bake sale, buying perishable items in bulk means they'll probably go bad. If you do take the plunge, freeze half the berries right away.

3. Meat

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Supermarkets are the best place to save on chicken, beef, and pork. "Using meat as loss leaders, grocers rotate sales on various meats to keep shoppers coming back for the cheap prices with the hopes that they'll spend on other, more expensive packaged goods," says consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch. Grocery stores also typically offer manager markdowns on meats nearing their expiration date.

4. Bleach

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Bleach has a short shelf life — it starts to lose its effectiveness after six months — so buying in bulk doesn't make sense. Instead, buy the supermarket brand for the best price.